Think You're Ready to Retire? Grab a Pencil.

If you're stumped by basic questions about nest eggs, life expectancy, health care and more, your later years may not be as good as you hope

By

Glenn Ruffenach

Oct. 25, 2013 8:35 p.m. ET

What if—before starting retirement—you first had to pass a test?

Like a driver's test. Something that gauges how much you know about savings targets, medical bills, estate planning and a few other fundamental issues. Just a quick quiz to make sure that, before you close the office door behind you, your household budget in 15 years allows for...